(THREAD) Some thoughts about the tragic #LasVegasShooting.
Mass violence, terrorism, media, race, guns, America, etc.
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By contrast, Adam Lanza, the Sandy Hook shooter, didn't have a message. We still don't really know why he did it.
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Mass shooting vs. terrorism matters. Both are tragic losses of life. But the distinction matters for counter-strategy.
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If the motivation is political, then stopping it involves politics. If the motivation isn't political, counter-strategy is different.
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ISIS claimed responsibility. Said they inspired the shooter. But police say no known connection. ISIS could be lyinghttp://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/las-vegas-isis-shooting-claims-stephen-paddock-responsibility-latest-a7978941.html …
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Many want to politicize the use of the word "terrorism." But it's smarter to be analytic. Must understand it to prevent it
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Attacker was a white man. It's mindboggling to think how different the public reaction would be if he was Arab. Or black.
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The media narrative and especially the president's reaction would be dramatically different if the shooter weren't white.
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But the race and religion of the attacker doesn't change the analytic question of whether or not it was terrorism.
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There's something extra shitty about attacking a concert. An event where people come together to have fun.
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#LasVegasShooting defies arguments that more armed civilians around would prevent/stop shootings. He fired from a distant, unknown location.Show this thread -
Reject anyone saying now's not the time to talk about solutions. Trying to prevent future tragedies is always justified.
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That being said, I don't claim to have a clear solution. But I know all the old arguments will be rehashed. Again.
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Along with all the killed and injured, another victim of the
#LasVegasShooting is Puerto Rico Media attention motivated help. Now attn splitShow this thread -
Don't rag on people who send thoughts and prayers. It means they care, want comfort, and are frustrated they can't do more
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But leaders who could do something, and only send thoughts and prayers? Criticize away. They're ducking responsibility.
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If your argument is "it was mental illness," you better be advocating increased attention to and spending on mental health
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I think guns for home defense, hunting, and target shooting (because it's fun) are all reasonable.
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It's also reasonable (and Constitutional) to restrict the power of weapons available to civilians. (ex. RPGs)
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It's too easy for criminals and the mentally ill to legally acquire powerful weapons.
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But many mass shooters use weapons that would not fall under reasonable gun control plans that are on the table.
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And strict gun control (or even prohibition) would violate individual rights and be very unlikely to succeed. Too many already out there.
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No easy solution. Though there are reasonable steps to get some marginal improvement (e.g. fewer deaths per attack)
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It's sad and frustrating. I wish it wouldn't happen. But it probably will. I wish we could come together more. But we probably won't. (END)
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End of conversation
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